Stepladder



April 10, 1934. N, THRASHER 1,954,434

S TEPLADDER Filed NOV. 4, 1933 vii Ty].

Z .17. 1;. T/Zfidd'h? F? Q ntor Patented Apr. 10, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to step ladders and more especially to means whereby the steps of the ladder can be reinforced and also held properly assembled with the stiles.

It is an object of the invention to provide a truss of novel construction for use in connection with a step, the rod of the truss also serving as a means for properly tying the ends of the step to the stiles.

Another object is to provide a structure which acts to relieve the stiles from strains at any points other than at the ends of the step supporting a weight.

A still further object is to extend the end portions of the truss rod through bores in the ends of the step whereby weakening of the parts such as would result from grooving them, is eliminated.

A still further object is to provide a truss rod which, by extending through bores in both the step and the stiles is positively prevented from working downwardly in the stiles and pulling away from the step with which it is associated.

Another object is to provide the truss with a spacing block which acts to brace the step throughout its width so as to prevent the step from rocking or sagging transversely and ultimately checking or splitting.

A further object is to provide a truss construction which, because of its location, does not transfer any of the strains from one step to any other step or truss in the ladder and positively prevents any relative movement of the interfitting parts.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts Without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a step ladder showing a step provided with the are provided with the usual transverse grooves 2 in their inner faces providing seats for the ends of a step 3. Extending through each stile is a bore 4 which opens into the center of the groove 2 and registers with the outer end of an inclined bore 5 formed in the end portion of step 3 and opening downwardly through the bottom of the step.

Secured to the step 3 at its center is a transversely extending block 6 constituting a reinforcement. This block can extend to the edges of the step or can terminate desired distances inwardly therefrom. The center of the bottom of the block has a groove '7 providing a seat for the center portion of a truss rod 8. This rod is inclined upwardly in opposite directions respectively from the block and is seated snugly in the inclined bores 5 and the ends or" the red are extended outwardly through the bores 4 in the stiles. These ends are screw threaded for en- 5 gagement by nuts 9 and, if desired, reinforcing plates 10 can be secured to the outer faces of the stiles. These plates have holes 11 through which the rod extends and as the plates provide seats for the nuts, the stiles will be protected 30 against wear which might result from direct contact of the nuts therewith.

Attention is called to the fact that the bores 4 and 5 come together at points midway between the top and bottom faces of step 3. Thus a wedge-shaped section 12 of the step is left beneath each bore and this serves to support the rod at the correct angle within the step and stile and also acts as a means for preventing the rod from pulling downwardly on the stile, enlarging the openings 4, and splitting the stile and pulling away from the step.

The rod 8 acts as a tie for binding the stile directly against the end of the step and as the compression is along the center of the step, the parts will be held tightly against relative movement and no strains will be distributed to other steps or to parts of the stiles between the steps. Consequently the resultant step ladder construction is stronger and more durable than would be 00 possible through other arrangements of a truss rod.

The block 6 supports the middle portion of the step substantially throughout its width. Thus the step is held against rocking under a load 1 and will not check or crack.

What is claimed is:

1. A ladder construction including stiles having transverse grooves providing seats, there being a bore extending through each stile and opening into the center of its groove, a step seated snugly at its ends within the grooves, there being an upwardly and outwardly inclined bore in each end portion of the step opening through the end of the step at a point between the upper and lower faces of the step and registering with the adjacent bore in the stile, a portion of the step forming a wedge-like area between the inclined bore and the bottom of the step, which area extends into the groove, a truss rod having upwardly diverging portions extending through the bores in the steps and outwardly extended portions projecting through the bores in the stile, spacing means between the rod and the step, and fastening means engaging the ends of the rod for tightening the grooved portions of the stiles against the ends of the step.

2. A ladder construction including stiles having transverse grooves providing seats, there being a bore extending through each stile and opening into the center of its groove, a step seated snugly at its ends within the grooves, there being an upwardly and outwardly inclined bore in each end portion of the step opening through the end of the step at a point between the upper and lower faces of the step and registering with the adjacent bore in the stile, a portion of the step forming a wedge-like area between the inclined bore and the bottom of the step, which area extends into the groove, a truss rod having upwardly diverging portions extending through the bores in the steps and outwardly extended portions projecting through the bores in the stile, spacing means between the rod and the step, and fastening means engaging the ends of the rod for tightening the grooved portions of the stiles against the ends of the step, said spacing means being extended transversely along the under-side of the step to transmit downward thrust to the rod from the step.

3. A ladder construction including stiles having transverse grooves providing seats, there being a bore extending through each stile and opening into the center of its groove, a step seated snugly at its ends within the grooves, there being an upwardly and outwardly inclined bore in each end portion of the step opening through the end of the step at a point between the upper and. lower faces of the step and registering with the adjacent bore in the stile, a portion of the step forming a wedge-like area between the inclined bore and the bottom of the step, which area extends into the groove, a truss rod having upwardly diverging portions extending through the bores in the steps and outwardly extended portions projecting through the bores in the stile, spacing means between the rod and the step, and fastening means engaging the ends of the rod for tightening the grooved portions of the stiles against the ends of the step, said spacing means being extended transversely along the under-side of the step to transmit downward thrust to the rod from the step, and wear devices interposed between the stiles and the fastening means.

NED L. THRASHER. 

